Ignis fatuus

//ˈɪɡnɪs ˈfætjuːəs// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A will o' the wisp.

    "Fiery spirits or devils are such as commonly work by blazing stars, fire-drakes, or ignes fatui; which lead men often in flumina aut præcipitia, saith Bodine[…]"

  2. 2
    an illusion that misleads wordnet
  3. 3
    A delusion, a false hope. figuratively

    "[…] they think this is written on purpose to be published; and that this defence is so published, that it may serve as an Ignis fatuus to mislead them […]"

  4. 4
    a pale light sometimes seen at night over marshy ground wordnet

Etymology

From New Latin ignis fatuus (literally “foolish fire”).

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